Vision is a tricky thing, Lots of times we’re featuring “vision” that results in automotive versions of the Toxic Avenger and other times, like this one we’re celebrating someone’s perfectly executed concept that we’d kill to own. This 1973 hemi powered Duster was built back in the 1990s, has been a magazine feature car, and is so freaking awesome we can hardly stand it. This is the best looking hemi install into one of these cars that we’ve ever seen and we’re guessing that the thing is a beast to drive, especially with the smallish rubber on the back of the machine. The underside of the car is as nice as the topside and when you get a look at the tubular K-member that the engine is mounted on you’ll understand why it is nestled in there so nice. That thing is the secret sauce and it is beautiful.
Mopar purist guys will likely not be into the low, wide hood scoop but since we’re not Mopar purist guys we have no qualms with it at all. We like the call outs on the rear quarters, and by now you know we love us some body colored steel wheels so those are spinning our collective cranks as well. The interior is the plainest looking bench seat, column shift scene you have ever laid eyes on but this car is hardly a sleeper. That big Hemi can’t help but let its presence be known. The gut rumbling exhaust note at idle would only get more angry as the rev counter went up. Oh, there are also the huge HEMI call outs on the rear quarter panels that would be a bit of a tip as well.
The funny thing here is that modern engine swaps have become so popular, most people will probably assume that this is a late model hemi slammed into this car and not a classic 426 incher. We’re not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing but at the end of the day, this car has some basic elements that people are drawn to. It is clean, it is fast as hell, and it looks like a proper street brawler should look.
Even the dorkiest guy on planet Earth would be elevated to boss level by owning this thing. We’re in love…are you?
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MORE OF THIS CAR AND THE HUGE EBAY AD –
love it when a plan comes together….shades of one of my shop mechanics who bought a then new, white, 340 4spd Duster. He promptly installed 4:56 gears, headers and some other tricks. He then ‘dusted’ the unsuspecting locals, from stop light to stop light.
I talked to Larry today, my mechanic that had the 340 Duster. He said it had 5:13 gears, a Crane Fireball cam and a ‘Roto-Phase’ type ignition. He only had it a short while as it kept blowing up clutches and he eventually got a Lakewood blow proof bell for it
Love that he went with the steelies. PRobably would have painted the car black and gone with a crossram on the Hemi myself.
Just to set a few things straight here – the car was built by ‘HemiDenny’ Laube out of Ohio. It used to have a FLAT hood. It had a flat hood because of the prototype K member which allows the engine to sit lower in the chassis. He eventually developed the HemiDenny K member (HDK) and now sells them for this purpose. Look him up on For A Bodies Only, he has completed some high-quality A body builds, all very subtle with top-notch fabrication.
The grade-A mo-ron who stuck that incorrect scoop on and added the ‘look at me’ Hemi graphics on the side absolutely KILLED the whole original idea of this car. Why do people think that every Mopar should scream for attention with giant hood scoops and graphics? It’s already got lime green paint!
Can these ‘mods’ be undone? Sure, but at the price he is asking, you’d think that he would let the build do the talking, not the ill-conceived gee gaws.
HemiDenny is a master. You should see his current Hemi silver Duster.
Because…Dodge owners. If it has a Hemi, it has to say it on every panel of the car so everyone knows. Same with Cummins and giant C’s on Dodge trucks.
That said, what a badass car. I’m not a fan of the traditional bright Mopar colors (would have went white or black myself), but everyone to themselves and it’s not my car. Very cool build.
See, your comment about “Dodge owners” – that’s what I am saying.That might be the general perception (an an old one at that) but it’s not necessarily true. I believe that the perception comes from Brand-X types who might be selling a Mopar – they probably don’t know the Chrysler brand that well and think any extra bling that says Hemi on it will make it more appealing to potential buyers. Like this guy.
I am a life-long Mopar guy and except for a very few instances, I am not a fan of high-impact colors. I have always disliked it when guys take a car that came with a more subdued shade and slather it with lime green or yellow or purple on some such thing. Again, it’s that misconception that all Mopar guys are about shocking, bright colors and graphics. It’s silly. To each their own I guess. That’s not being a purist either, that’s just appreciating things as they are and practicing restraint in a “look at me” world.
Yes,this car has the lime green paint but beyond that, Denny went to great lengths to make it slip under the radar. If it pulled in to a cruise night as it was before with the flat hood and rallye wheels, you wouldn’t even give it a second look. This guy trying to sell it turns around and makes into a giant, flashy billboard that everyone has to turn and stare at. He just does not ‘get it’ and is trying to appeal/sell to someone else who probably won’t get it either.
What’s odd to me here is that someone would buy a subtle (albeit lime green) car like this while knowing full well what went into making it this way then turn around and make it into something completely opposite. Makes no sense, financially or otherwise. If you got the cash, why not just take some beat up old ’73 Duster and make the car as outrageous as you want? Leave the subtle, tastefully done car to someone who appreciates it for what it is, not it’s re-sale value with add on graphics.
Oh well, not my car, not my money.
That thing is awesome, very good workmanship, very well done !
anyone else notice that one of the drag radials is mounted inside out
nice car nice work
I’d lose the hood scoop and the Hemi call out graphics on the quarter panels.
Mopar purists are going to hate me on this but…….. Fantastic build, righteous drivetrain but shag carpet green?
C’mon………..
I am John, HemiDenny’s brother. That green Duster is a nice one but it needs to be put back the way it was when he sold it. I would love to have the beautiful cylinder heads that are on that motor. It has a stock 70 street Hemi camshaft and is probably only a more aggressive grind away from 650+ hp.
Here is a link that shows his current Duster with an all-aluminum Gen II Hemi, an A833 4-speed with a Passon aluminum case and a Gear Vendors O.D.
The link also has pictures at the bottom showing some of his other flat-hood Hemi A-body conversions including an as-sold picture of the green car.
The orange Duster is a 528 MP crate Hemi with a Tremac 5-speed and a Dana 60. The butterscotch Demon is an all-aluminum (painted) 426 Hemi with A/C, a 727 and a Dana 60.
http://moparlounge.com/a-bodies/109-ghost-of-the-mopar-missile.html